Monday, April 28, 2014

Coffee Affairs is one of the latest cafes to burst on the Penang scene, as the name would imply, the cafe serves a wide variety of gourmet coffees and of course, with some of their in-house fresh bakes too. The cafe carries a very rustic and simple design, with some siphon coffee brewers adorning the walls as well as some resplendently colorful chairs and tables. The cafe exudes a very homely and cozy feeling, it has the perfect setting for a weekend meet-up with friends or family. Choices for cakes and pastries, on the other hand, were rather limited, guests can have a preview from the refrigerated cake counter before deciding on what to order; also, I thought the prices are slightly on the higher side. I would not make a special trip here but if you happen to be in the vicinity, it is a very pleasant place with comfortable environment to rest your feet and have a sip on their freshly brewed coffee. Coffee Affairs is located at Bishop Street, a stone's throw distance from Traffic and The Whiteaways Arcade.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Granny's Cottage (外婆家) is one of the latest members to the Food & Beverage outlets at Gurney Plaza. It is a place where you will see many "friendly" and "familiar" dishes being offered, the no-frills menu was extensive but most of the dishes will be perfect spooned over rice, in other words, similar concept to Zhu Char, just that it opens in a mall. Prices are certainly considered wallet-friendly and reasonable at Gurney Plaza. Granny's Cottage took the prominent location where BlackBall was previously located, at level 6.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

At the end of the one-way road- Kinta Lane, opposite to Hotel Sentral Georgetown; The Fat Duck Cafe is a newly opened cafe cum gallery. The cafe serves Western food mainly, with a few choices of their home-made cakes as well as sandwiches. The interior decoration of the cafe is simple and minimalist, with some paintings by the owner adorning the walls and soft music as background. It does not use any fancy or sophisticated-looking tables, but rather a few simple ones. Prices are certainly on the higher side but the place could remain as one of the places for occasions on my list. The service, however, could need some improvements. No one was there to serve me when I was in the cafe and it took them quite sometime to hand me their menu and serve me. The cafe recently rolled out their new Set Meal at Rm 36 (with prevailing government tax) and I thought it was rather tempting and I decided to have a try. No, not that the taste was below par but rather, I thought it was a little pricey for a set amounting to nearly Rm 40 after tax...... For ala-carte orders, the menu can be found over their Facebook Page.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Kong Bee Lee Pan Mee has expanded recently, the new branch at Air Itam has more choices and a more extensive menu as compared to its main branch at Taman Kheng Tian; but I am quite confused, I was quite surprised to find out that they are serving Japanese Ramen now, with a couple of Japanese Bento dishes and Burgers to choose from, as well as some funky variant of Pan Mee. One thing good though... the restaurant is fully air-conditioned, one needs not to sweat after enjoying a bowl of piping hot Pan Mee. Well, at least one could easily get his/her craving fixed at a very comfortable place without putting a dent on the wallet. Big Pot Dining can be found right next to Million Loh Mee, those shop houses along Medan Angsana, Air Itam.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

The power of social media sites is beyond one's imagination, something interesting will go viral in a glimpse of an eye. I have seen many posted about this place on Instagram and I thought it will be great for me to check it out. Arrived at 11:50am on a Saturday morning, the place was throng with people, long queue was sighted right in front of the restaurant in which I presumed they were here for the Big Bowl Ramen. My Voice Cafe & Studio is actually a sister restaurant to Lolipot at Bay Avenue. Seats were quickly filled up and the unfortunate ones will be invited over to Lolipot and yours truly was one of the unlucky ones. Apart of their Big Bowl Ramen, My Voice Cafe & Studio has some Japanese rice dishes and noodles to offer too if you must know. Advance reservation is strongly recommended should you are interested to try the Big Bowl Ramen.

It took them slightly more than an hour to serve the Ramen, it was understandable considering the long queue and massive orders. However, the place (Lolipot) might not be an ideal spot to wait for a few good reasons: flimsy stools, weak air-conditioner and limited choices for beverages (Lolipot and My Voice Cafe & Studio serve different menu of beverages). The heat-intolerant might be frustrated with the air-conditioner especially with the sultry tropical heat.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

G Cafe at G Hotel continues to tantalize foodies' palates by offering a new line of theme buffet dinners for the coming three months- April, May and June 2014. The new line of buffet covers delicacies from many countries, Mediterranean, France, Mongolia, just to name a few, and of course, there will be some carefully chosen local delights as well.

Be spoilt for choice at G Cafe's Seafood Feast Barbecue Buffet Dinner, the restaurant offers fresh catch seafood with panache as well as plethora of meticulously prepared smorgasbord. Imported Cheeses, fresh and succulent Seafood, Sashimi, Gelatomio Ice Cream and myriad of dainty Desserts are amongst some of the notable buffet items that one should not miss. Pamper yourself in this gastronomical paradise on a weekend with a sumptuous and lavish meal, G Cafe has the perfect setting for you to unwind and recharge from the all the stress in hectic life. The Seafood Feast BBQ Buffet Dinner is only available on every Friday evening (Rm 108++ for adults), starting from 6:30pm to 10pm.

***For a fun-filled activity that the entire family can partake in, bring your kids to G Cafe's Easter Family Buffet Brunch on 20th of April, 2014. The buffet brunch starts from 11am to 2pm at Rm 108++ per person, with kids 12 years old and below get to eat for free and 50% discount for senior citizens aboev 60 years old. For more information, kindly visit their Facebook Page***

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Devotees of Vietnamese food in town should be delighted and excited to know that there is another greater variety on offer. Hương Quế is one of the latest Vietnamese eats to burst on the Penang scene. Tucked within one of the houses along Lebuh Melaka, one could easily overlook the humble and no-frills restaurant, fortunately, it can be distinguished by its green-colored sign board. The menu is simple and earnest, they do not have much to offer currently, only a few choices of rice and Pho dishes, as well as some Vietnamese delicacies. One of the most exotic ones will be none other than the Balut/ Vietnamese Fertilized Duck Egg which is only available for dinner. Prices are definitely reasonable but the seats are rather limited and might not be too accommodating for larger groups; be sure to make your reservation should you are planning to have a gathering or family dinner.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Island Glades has a fair share of decent eateries and food courts, but now there is a greater variety on offer- an unassuming healthy vegetarian cafe. Manned by a very young couple, Back Home (回家) is a place that offers comfortable environment with a few carefully crafted healthy vegetarian dishes. The whole concept of Back Home is very simple, to provide a reading corner for guests to read, but at the same time, promoting healthy lifestyle. The place has the perfect setting for friends to catch up, as well as to spend your weekend time to do some quick reading. I was quite excited to find out that they offer a few quirky vegetarian pasta dishes; I was not surprised that this little hidden gem is garnering an appreciate following for the few reasons: healthy, delicious, cozy ambiance, attentive service and wallet-friendly price tags. Back Home (回家) is located at Island Glades, right beside Pearl Cafe.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

It has been a while since Rasa Deli (of Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa) rolled out its Cronuts, the fresh, crispy yet flaky sweet treat has since attracted many dessert lovers to come forth and a try. Nestled within the resort, Rasa Deli is a kiosk located a stone's throw away from Spice Market and it offers quite an extensive range of sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and cookies at very affordable prices. If you are visiting Rasa Deli for their Cronuts, it should be noted that the Cronuts are only available from 3pm to 4pm daily. The sweet treats at Rasa Deli are only available for takeaways but should you wish to dine-in, you may purchase the desserts at the kiosk first and make your way to Spice Market. The friendly and eloquent staff there will attend to you promptly.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Down the hill of Bukit Gambir, there is a humble and quiet Korean cafe manned by a Korean. Menu is simple but earnest, offering some of their best dishes. No, you can't find Korean Barbecue or Bulbogi here. One good reason to visit the cafe will be their wallet-friendly price, most of the items are priced less than Rm 11 with no additional surcharges. However, I did not think all of the dishes we had were good (with some not up to par). Nevertheless, it can be the place to satiate your cravings for Kim Chi or Korean delicacies without putting a dent on your wallet. Korean Cafe Gil is situated at Ivory Plaza, right beside Istimewa Nasi Kandar.

** Update: Unfortunately I was informed that Hao Ji Bean Sprout Chicken has moved out to Bukit Mertajam and has ceased its operation here in Penang branch since beginning of April 2014**

While Chicken Rice can be a common sight at most food courts and hawker centers in Penang but strangely, it is not an easy task to find a decent Ipoh Hor Fun with Chicken and Bean Sprouts. Once again, Penangites are blessed with more choices, especially with the opening of Hao Ji Bean Sprout Chicken. As the name would imply, Hao Ji serves only Ipoh Hor Fun, Chicken (with rice), Bean Sprouts and some of their home-made Yong Tau Fu. Overall, I thought the foods we had were slightly above par and with that wallet-friendly price tags, I will definitely make another trip back here for more. Hao Ji Bean Sprout Chicken (豪记怡保芽菜鸡) is located at Lorong Selamat, two houses away from Coya Vegetarian House and walking distance from New World Park.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

The Films Cafe is one of the latest themed cafes to burst on the Penang scene. As the name might have indicated, the cafe uses "films" as the theme; the cafe, of course, is being decorated in accordance to that theme. You will find yourself in a quaint place with camera toys and filming tools adorning the walls. The newly opened cafe does not have much to offer currently, there were only four types of cakes available in which you may have your preview at the refrigerated cake counter, as well as a few types of healthy fruit juices. Prices are certainly a little more expensive than other cafes and finding a parking can be a real headache at this touristy place. I would not make a special trip to there again but if you are in the vicinity, the cafe can be a pleasant place to rest your feet. The Films Cafe is located a stone's throw away from the famous mural paint at Armenian Street and can be found right next to Armenian House.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

In the need of a charming spot to enjoy a sumptuous seafood dinner? Do check out Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa at Batu Ferringhi as the resort rolls out a special Seaside Barbecue feast. The Friday Asian Barbecue By The Sea proffers a wide range of grilled seafood with oriental seasonings and some Asian influence. Apart from the plethora of Seafood and Mains, diners can expect a salad bar and dessert counter, as well as a Char Koay Teow action stall (it will be Fried Ice Cream action stall on Saturdays). Buffet diners may also enjoy their house wines (Chardonnay and Shiraz) at happy-hour-prices to pair with the wonderfully prepared Seafood (not included in the buffet). Having a glass of White and some fresh Seafood in the middle of a stunningly breath-taking sunset view and a sea of glistening stars is indeed a memorable and enjoyable life moment.

Many Thanks to Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa for extending the invitation.